On Monday, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is set to unveil BHASKAR, a new interactive online platform designed to enhance India’s startup ecosystem. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming innovative ideas into successful businesses.
What is BHASKAR?
BHASKAR, which stands for Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry, is an ambitious platform aimed at supporting and growing India’s startup community. As the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, India is poised to benefit significantly from this initiative. The platform is designed to centralize and streamline interactions among startups, investors, mentors, service providers, and regulatory bodies.
Key Features of BHASKAR
- Centralized Interaction: BHASKAR will serve as a hub for key players in the entrepreneurial world. By providing personalized BHASKAR IDs for each user, the platform will facilitate smoother interactions and make it easier to find relevant opportunities and partners.
- Networking and Collaboration: The platform will bridge gaps between different stakeholders, such as startups and investors, enabling seamless communication and collaboration across various sectors.
- Enhanced Searchability: With powerful search features, users can quickly locate the resources, collaborators, and opportunities they need, making decision-making and scaling more efficient.
- Global Reach: BHASKAR aims to boost India’s reputation as a hub for innovation. It will facilitate cross-border collaborations, making it easier for Indian startups to connect with global investors and partners.
Government’s Vision for Startups
During the ‘Startup Mahakumbh’ event on March 20, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the significant transformation in India’s entrepreneurial landscape. He praised the youth for choosing to be job creators rather than job seekers, leading to over 1.46 lakh recognized startups that employ more than 1 million people.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which oversees this initiative, aims to solidify India’s position as a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. BHASKAR is a testament to this commitment, offering startups immediate access to critical tools and knowledge for faster and more efficient scaling.
Historical Context
The push for entrepreneurship began in earnest with PM Modi’s Independence Day speech on August 15, 2015, where he introduced the ‘Startup India’ and ‘Standup India’ campaigns. Launched on January 16, 2016, the Startup India initiative has since played a crucial role in shifting India from a nation of job seekers to one of job creators.
Since 2014, the startup landscape in India has grown dramatically. From having a negligible presence, India now boasts over 1.25 lakh startups involving around 12 lakh youth. The country has also seen the rise of more than 110 unicorns and approximately 12,000 patents filed by startups.
Conclusion
The launch of BHASKAR represents a significant step towards fostering a more connected and collaborative startup environment in India. By providing essential resources and facilitating better interactions among stakeholders, the platform is set to enhance India’s global standing in entrepreneurship and innovation.
